Cheyenne, WY – The National Weather Service is warning drivers across the Rocky Mountain region — including Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana — to prepare for snow squalls, which are brief but powerful bursts of snow and wind capable of producing sudden whiteouts and icy roads.
Unlike steady snowfall, snow squalls strike with little warning, often lasting less than an hour but bringing rapidly dropping visibility, gusty winds over 40 mph, and flash freezes that make highways extremely dangerous. They commonly develop as cold fronts sweep through mountain valleys and high plains, particularly along I-25, I-70, and I-90.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Visibility can drop to near zero within seconds.
- Roads may ice over instantly, especially at high elevations and on mountain passes.
- If a Snow Squall Warning is issued, avoid or delay travel until conditions improve.
- Slow down, use headlights, and avoid sudden braking or lane changes.
The Snow Squall Warning system, issued by the NWS, functions much like a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning — but for short-lived, high-impact winter events that create life-threatening driving conditions. Warnings typically last 30–60 minutes and cover small, localized areas where intense snow and strong winds are expected.
According to the NWS, these events are particularly dangerous in mountain corridors, where elevation changes and steep grades amplify the effects of whiteouts and slick roads. Drivers are advised to check forecasts before traveling through mountain passes and to carry emergency kits during winter travel.
For ongoing updates, visit weather.gov/bou, weather.gov/cys, or weather.gov/byz for real-time forecasts across Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
